Most people don't realize engine oil plays a crucial role in helping to keep the engine at the right temperature.
If none of this identifies the problem, it's likely a key coolant passage in the engine has become blocked. It's not unheard of for engine rebuilders to fail to clean the block completely, leaving junk in the passages that can become dislodge and subsequently block a key passage. (I know, not good news ... especially because this tends to show up after the engine is past the warranty period.)
1970 Explorer Class A on a 1969 Dodge M300 chassis with 318 cu. in. (split year)
1972 Executive Class A on a Dodge M375 chassis with 413 cu. in.
1973 Explorer Class A on a Dodge RM350 (R4) chassis with 318 engine & tranny from 1970 Explorer Class A
Found a CarQuest OEM spec hose but only for A/C ... otherwise, listings for generic flex hoses for both A/C and non-A/C.
Will check other years to see if there was a change ...
You may have a split year motorhome, titled as a 1979 but built on a 1978 or even a 1977 chassis.
Can find listings for OEM spec hoses for you but need to know A/C or non-A/C
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
It looks like Dodge did away with the 440 engine in everything except the CB300 in the 1979 model year. (Checked B300, D300/400/450, and W300.)
It looks like Dodge did away with the 440 engine in everything except the CB300 in the 1979 model year. (Checked B300, D300/400/450, and W300.)
I know of a person that has a B class that is 1980 vintage, and this person says it came equipped with the 440. Might be another place to look.
Downsizing ">
It does have A/C... not that it works... but the parts are still there.
Changed oil and filter a couple weeks ago. Pressure seems a little low. The gauge is just barely under half.
Yea, the blocked passage definitely would not be nice. I wonder if a 'flush' would clear that.
eyeteeth wrote:
I usually look for engine parts in the '78 range. But he dash design, and quad headlights are from '79-80... makes this all that much more difficult.
It does have A/C... not that it works... but the parts are still there.
Changed oil and filter a couple weeks ago. Pressure seems a little low. The gauge is just barely under half.
Yea, the blocked passage definitely would not be nice. I wonder if a 'flush' would clear that.
I usually look for engine parts in the '78 range. But he dash design, and quad headlights are from '79-80... makes this all that much more difficult.
It does have A/C... not that it works... but the parts are still there.
Changed oil and filter a couple weeks ago. Pressure seems a little low. The gauge is just barely under half.
Yea, the blocked passage definitely would not be nice. I wonder if a 'flush' would clear that.
Oil pressure is okay ... that's where the needle usually is. (Plus, dash gauges aren't all that accurate ... a corroded or loose connection between the sensor and gauge would cause a lower reading.)
Engine flush is a definite recommendation. You might even want to do two or three.
Find a reputable radiator shop and ask if they can do a more thorough flush.
Headlights and dash are a clear indication the chassis is a 1979.
I have a CarQuest commercial account, which gives me access to the same data as the counter people.
In your case, look up parts for 1979 CB300. The main difference between a MB300 and a CB300 is the factory had passenger seat as standard in MB300 and optional in CB300. There may be other minor differences but the two chassis were effectively identical.
Looking up parts for 1978 CB300 is okay as long as you keep the possibility of differences in mind and compare old parts to new parts. Most of the changes between the two years was probably cosmetic, with engine, drivetrain, suspension, etc. probably identical.
The CarQuest listing for '79 CB300/440 didn't include lower radiator hose. (GRRRRR!) So, I went to the '78 CB300/440 listing and crosschecked to verify the likelihood of correct parts.
Upper radiator hose, with A/C, for both is C70461 or 81161
Lower radiator hose, with A/C, for '78 is C70438 or 813321
(First number is OEM style cut-to-fit hose and second is suitable flex hose.)
No radiator cap listed for '79 CB300/440. (Double GRRRRRRRRRR!!!) Only cap listed for '78 CB300/440 was a Mr Gasket aftermarket, with built-in thermometer (?? ... and more expensive), P/N 2476BK. Crosschecked with '78 B300/440, which showed same cap plus OEM style caps by Stant. (Less expensive and, in my mind, preferable.) Stant standard cap is P/N 10231 and with pressure release lever is P/N 10331. Pressure rating for all these caps is 16 PSI.
Also crosschecked radiator cap for '79 B300/360 and same numbers were listed.
Ballenxj wrote:
I know of a person that has a B class that is 1980 vintage, and this person says it came equipped with the 440. Might be another place to look.
Griff in Fairbanks wrote:
It looks like Dodge did away with the 440 engine in everything except the CB300 in the 1979 model year. (Checked B300, D300/400/450, and W300.)
It looks like Dodge did away with the 440 engine in everything except the CB300 in the 1979 model year. (Checked B300, D300/400/450, and W300.)
I know of a person that has a B class that is 1980 vintage, and this person says it came equipped with the 440. Might be another place to look.
It wouldn't surprise me ... may have been a special order option. If so, it's unlikely CarQuest (and other parts stores) would list it. (Or, the people setting up and populating the database were just lazy.)
The OEM is what I put on a few years back. The 'new' one didn't seem any firmer. No springs to be had. I'll try the 'suitable flex hose as it was much more ridged. Bought a cap too... will try flushing the system, swapping hoses, new cap, new coolant. Not quite up for trying the water pump just yet. Going with the easy stuff...
Without the part numbers... they would have had no clue what to hand me. lol. Kinda standard for me. Thanks again... I'll let everyone know how it goes...
eyeteeth wrote:
Thanks Griff
The OEM is what I put on a few years back. The 'new' one didn't seem any firmer. No springs to be had. I'll try the 'suitable flex hose as it was much more ridged. Bought a cap too... will try flushing the system, swapping hoses, new cap, new coolant. Not quite up for trying the water pump just yet. Going with the easy stuff...
Without the part numbers... they would have had no clue what to hand me. lol. Kinda standard for me. Thanks again... I'll let everyone know how it goes...
Thanks Griff
The OEM is what I put on a few years back. The 'new' one didn't seem any firmer. No springs to be had. I'll try the 'suitable flex hose as it was much more ridged. Bought a cap too... will try flushing the system, swapping hoses, new cap, new coolant. Not quite up for trying the water pump just yet. Going with the easy stuff...
Without the part numbers... they would have had no clue what to hand me. lol. Kinda standard for me. Thanks again... I'll let everyone know how it goes...
When I worked at CarQuest, it became known the store had a motorhome expert. One person drove 100 miles (one-way) to see me. He arrived on a Thursday, to find out I worked Friday through Sunday. The boss offered to call me, knowing I'd be glad to help, but he insisted on staying at a motel and waiting for my regular shift.
He made several calls home to get his son to crawl around and find chassis VIN and other numbers I wanted. By the time he left on Saturday, he'd left with over $400 worth of parts and improvements. (That's after I gave him an extra discount.)
The boss kept track of him. In total, he made six 200 mile round trips to talk to me and spent over $1,000 fixing up his motorhome.
On the final trip, he showed up with the motorhome on Friday to show me and the boss his work ... and he was beaming like the father of a new baby.